Axillary Web Syndrome

For all stretches: Stretching DO’s and DON’T’s Don’t stretch into pain. A good Stretch until you feel tension, stretch should be slightly Axillary Web not pain. uncomfortable but never painful. Syndrome Hold each stretch for: Do move in and out of the stretch slowly and gently. 10 20 30 seconds Do hold the stretch for the prescribed Do these stretches 2 times daily. time. Repeat each stretch 3-5 times. Do call your doctor or physiotherapist if you are having trouble getting back Slowly return your arm to the your normal arm function. starting position after each stretch. You may feel a “popping” in your arm. As long as you do not feel a lasting pain, this is okay. If you have any questions or concerns, call your physical therapist at: Cross Cancer Institute What can I do if I have cording? (Edmonton) • Don’t worry! Most people affected Phone: 780-432-8716 with it will usually regain their normal Holy Cross Centre (Calgary) shoulder and arm function within Phone: 403-698-8169 3 months. • It is very important to stretch your Central Alberta Cancer Centre arm everyday until your normal (Red Deer) function returns. Please call: 403-406-1963 By doing these stretches every day, you should notice: • A decrease in your pain. • An increase in your arm mobility. Symptom Management—Rehabilitation Oncology Symptom Management | Rehabilitation Oncology | PROV | 2016 | What is Axillary Web Syndrome? Cane Stretch Wall Stretch Axillary Web Syndrome, sometimes • Lay on your back on a bed or on the called cording, banding, or tethering, is a floor with both of your knees bent. • Face the wall. condition that may happen in the arm after • Put one foot at the wall, and the other surgery and treatment for breast cancer. • Hold a cane with hands shoulder width apart resting on your lap. foot behind you. • You may see strong bands or cords in • Keep your elbows straight and slowly • Put your hand on the wall. the armpit, which may run down the lift your arms above your head as far • Slide your hand upward until you feel arm. Sometimes these cords can go as possible some tension. all the way down to the base of the • Keep your elbow straight. thumb. Do this with your: • There can often be some pain down a. Hands shoulder width apart the arm making it difficult to reach, lift b. Hands wider than shoulder width your arm or straighten your elbow. apart, making a “vee” Cording Clock Stretch “Bye Byes” • Lay on your back on a bed or on the • Keep your elbow straight, wave floor with both of your knees bent. “Bye Bye”. • Start with your arms at your sides. • Keep your elbows straight, and raise Do this 2 times in each position: your arms, with the palms of your a. Arm forward hands facing upwards. What causes cording? b. Arm sideways The cause of cording is not really • Raise them until you feel some understood yet. tension. It may be caused by lymph or blood vessels damaged by breast surgery, cancer treatment (radiation), or even by the cancer itself. .

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